Daryl Murphy returned to the Nottingham Forest starting line-up as boss Martin O’Neill made two changes to his side.

The Reds were aiming to make it three games unbeaten as they travelled to face Preston North End at Deepdale, on the back of Tuesday night’s 2-2 draw against West Bromwich Albion.

And it looked like O’Neill may also have opted for a change in formation as Murphy and fellow striker Lewis Grabban made the XI.

The former came in at the expense of Ben Watson, who was left out of the matchday squad, as was defender Saidy Janko, whose place at right-back was taken by Tendayi Darikwa.

Daryl Murphy is back in the Forest side (Image: Dan Westwell)

Jack Robinson kept his spot on the left side of the defence, with Alexander Milosevic and Yohan Benalouane completing the back line, ahead of goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon.

In midfield, there was a third successive start for youngster Ryan Yates, following back-to-back Man of the Match performances and his first goal for the club at The Hawthorns.

He looked set to partner Jack Colback in the centre of the pitch, with Joe Lolley and Ben Osborn on the flanks.

It looked like O’Neill had plumped for a 4-4-2 system with Murphy, who made a late appearance in midweek partnering Grabban up front – or there could be the option of playing 4-3-3 with Lolley pushed further forward.